Pittsburgh

Please join us for a Rally Against Wars and Occupations marking the 8th Anniversary of the Invasion of Afghanistan as part of a nationwide day of actions. We will also call for an immediate end to the occupations in Iraq, Gaza, and Pakistan.

When:  Saturday, October 17th, 2009

Time:  12 Noon to 1 PM – Rally

1 PM to 2 PM – Black Voices for Peace Weekly Vigil for Peace

Where:  Corners of Penn and Highland Avenues in East Liberty

Continuing our peace activism despite violations of our 1st amendment rights and repressive riot police actions during the G-20, the Antiwar Committee of the Thomas Merton Center, Black Voices for Peace, and Codepink Pittsburgh Women for Peace will hold a rally in Pittsburgh at 12 noon on Saturday, October 17th calling for an end to the U.S. wars and occupations. Representatives from several activist groups will articulate their groups’ position on the war in Afghanistan, and the Raging Grannies will sing. At 1 PM, participants will be encouraged to join the weekly peace vigil held for the past six years every Saturday by Black Voices for Peace.

October marks the 8th anniversary of the U.S. invasion and war in Afghanistan, in which 852 Americans and thousands of Afghans have died. “At a time of economic crisis and multiplying domestic needs, continued spending of billions for war in Afghanistan and Iraq is an appalling waste of taxpayer money, and Americans are not any safer today than they were 8 years ago,” said Francine Porter of Code Pink. Another $84 billion for the Afghanistan war was approved this summer and an additional $130 billion is in the Defense Spending Bill.

“The large turnout for the Peoples’ March during the G-20 summit, which called for money for human and environmental needs rather than war, shows the depth of discontent with the wars,” said Pete Shell of the Thomas Merton Center Antiwar Committee. “After 8 years of fighting, Americans oppose the war in Afghanistan more than ever, and opposition continues to grow,” he continued. 57% of Americans now oppose the war, and 45% reject increases in troop levels.

The National Assembly to End the War and Occupation of Iraq, American Friends Service Committee, National Codepink, and United for Peace and Justice, and many other groups have designated October a national call to action month for cities around the United States to hold rallies, marches, and protests voicing opposition to a continued US presence in Afghanistan. The Oct. 17 actions have been endorsed by close to 200 groups nationwide.

For more info: www.PittsburghEndTheWar.org  or www.natassembly.org  or https://october17.org